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For the fourth consecutive year, Akzo Nobel used NACE as the occasion to honor a prestigious group of women as its Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry. The industry leaders were the guests of honor at a gala reception and dinner at in Dallas.
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Back row, left to right: Anie Chinarian, Mary Barnett, Samantha Lofton, Tonnika Haynes, Front row, left to right:, Jeanne Silver, Carol Mock, Bev Cook
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Since 1999, Akzo Nobel has recognized the Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry. The honorees represent the best in the industry in terms of their commitment to their business, their community and the industry at large.
The Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry for 2002 are:
Mary Barnett, Chief Executive Officer, Barnett's Body Shop, Jackson, Mississippi; Anie Chinarian, Vice President Human Resources, Caliber Collision Centers, Irvine, California; J. Beverlie Cook, Vice President, Automotive Industries Association of Canada, Ottawa, Canada; Tonnika Haynes, Vice President, Brown's Auto & Collision,Greensboro, North Carolina; Samantha Lofton, Barnett's Body Shop, Ridgeland, Mississippi; Carol Mock, co-owner & office manager, Johnny Mock's Auto Body Shop, Inc., Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania; and Jeanne C. Silver, co-owner, Butterfield Bodyworks CARSTAR, Mundelein, Illinois.
In keeping with spirit of this award, this year Akzo Nobel is partnering with the I-CAR Education Foundation to continue the tradition of helping to pave the way for the next generation of women in the collision repair industry. Akzo Nobel is donating $10,000 in scholarship money, which will be earmarked for programs that empower women in the industry, to the I-CAR Education Foundation. Akzo Nobel, through its Car Refinishes Business Unit, headquartered in Atlanta, Akzo Nobel manufactures and markets Sikkens-brand paint refinishes systems.
Mary Barnett
Barnett's Body Shop, with three locations in the Jackson, Mississippi area, is one of the largest independently owned repair shops in the Deep South. According to her family, Mary Barnett's contribution to the business is immeasurable.
"Barnett's reputation for quality and precision is due to Mary's own personal standards for perfection. Her attention to detail keeps the company from straying too far from its objectives," said Joel Lofton, the current chairman of The Society of Collision Repairers.
He's also her son-in-law and manager of Barnett's Ridgeland location. "Mary expects the best from her employees, and she's seldom disappointed. At the same time, she genuinely cares about everyone."
Mary reflects, "It's so wonderful to see the accomplishments of the business and to deliver a product that makes customers happy. "Along the way, we encourage every single of one of our employees to do their best."
Mary began helping her husband Fred manage the books at the body shop he purchased in 1968, while also working in real estate. "Fred is crazy about cars, and this business is his dream come true," she says fondly. "We truly love the collision repair industry. "Working with our customers and our employees to solve problems is always a wonderful experience."
As the Barnett's Body Shop grew, Mary came into the business full-time in 1980. While the couple's three children -- Jeff, Samantha and Greg -- were in college, Mary and Fred started planning to add multiple locations. Mary's organizational skills and her ability to develop and administer sound business policies are essential components to successfully operating a multiple-location business.
Today, Barnett's Body Shops three locations rely on the same accounting, clerical and shop procedures to maintain the consistently high quality that has build the reputation of Barnett's Body Shops.
With their goal of establishing a successful collision repair business accomplished, Mary and Fred are well on their way toward achieving another goal - improving the image of body shops in the eyes of the general public. eir pursuit of excellence is evident the minute a customer walks through the door.
The Barnetts have always been committed to collision repair industry organizations, and they are active in church and community activities. hen she's not keeping things in order around the shop, Mary enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren. She and Fred recently purchased a motor home, and they are looking forward to taking some trips and enjoying a little hunting, fishing and hiking -- while her family minds the stores she's helped to build.
Anie Chinarian
How is a collision repair center like a hotel? Anie Chinarian knows that it's all about creating a positive experience for the customer. "Both businesses are hands-on, very people and quality oriented," she notes, as she reflects on her experience in the hospitality industry with Hyatt Hotels. "Customers are looking for empathy, quality, and respect. They'll remember a positive experience and share it with their friends, leading to repeat business and referrals."
She also believes in creating an encouraging work environment for the associates at Caliber Collision Center. "Employees are an organization's most important asset, and we refer to them as associates to reflect their value to us and their role as part of the team. Positive interactions between our associates and customers add up to success."
Anie says the collision repair industry chose her. While talking to friend Stepan Altounian about the potential of the business concept he was working on, Anie was intrigued by the opportunity to grow a company and establish an HR philosophy from the ground up.
Anie joined Caliber Collision Centers in September 1997 during the initial formation of the company. Since then, she has supervised the orientation, integration and training and development of the now 1700 associates who work at the company's 68 acquired or built facilities in California and Texas.
As Vice President of Human Resources, Chinarian helps keep the rapidly growing network at the forefront by bringing positive HR practices to the collision repair industry.
With more than 25 years of human resources administration experience, Anie is an expert at developing scalable HR operations in high growth organizations.
"We put a lot of energy into letting our associates know how valuable they are to the business," said Anie. "In a little more than five years, our company has grown from five to 68 centers through acquisitions.
Experienced employees are our greatest assets. We work hard to make them feel like a part of the team, while indoctrinating them into our customer service and quality philosophies."
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